793.94/2904: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 26—6:53 p.m.]
807. From Ambassador Dawes: [Paraphrase.] Sweetser’s report is summarized as follows:
Today Briand confidentially reported to the Council’s twelve members his very promising conversation this afternoon with Sze. The latter has received his instructions and understood they give him considerable liberty, though they have not been fully decoded. [Page 571] Briand understands that China will be able to negotiate upon the basis of yesterday’s announced general lines. [End paraphrase.] [Briand] also reported a conversation with Yoshizawa who left an aide-mémoire regarding the very serious situation around Chinchow and the necessity of immediate steps to obviate a collision. The aide-mémoire said: “Such an eventuality would be particularly unfortunate at a moment when, thanks to the Council’s efforts, a satisfactory solution of the Manchurian incident seems to be in sight.”
In view of communications from both Governments on this subject it was agreed that those Governments with observers at Chinchow might instruct them to examine together the possibility of establishing a neutral zone in order to prevent a collision.
Scialoja announced that Italy was ready to send troops to such a zone. No immediate comment was forthcoming; Cecil later said he had consultation [consulted] his Government on the subject.
Finally, in the hope that agreement may be reached on the general lines announced, a drafting committee was appointed to meet tomorrow at 10:30 consisting of Briand, Cecil, Madariaga and Colban.
- [Dawes]
- Shaw